Mohave County miner., 1887-11-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WAsHIsGToS, Nov. 10, 1887.
The talk OF the Capital is the converse
ton between Mr.. Lamar, Secretary OF
the Interior, and MIR. Sparks, Commits
sioner OF the General Land Office, which
has eliminated i'm a caustic letter from
the Cabinet Minister to his subordinate,
in which it is stated, after citing the dif-
ferences Of their opinions on legal ques-
tons involved in certain railroad land
grants, that one or the other OF the two
officials concerned must forthwith resign
his position. Public opinion appears to
sustain the action OF Secretary Lamar,
because, according to the decision OF the
United States Supreme Court, his con-
struction Of the land laws il clearly right,
and the Commissioner radically wrong.
Whenever Lamar would reverse Sparks,
which was a common occurrence, the
latter would file long protest, reviewing
the case and attempting TO convince the
Secretary of bis error. So it finally be-
came simply question OF official sub
ordination. 1t is generally believed thai
Mr. LAmar's letter was inspired from the
White House, the Administration Eeing
anxious to unload Sparks on accent OF
his unpopular Western land policy. II is
evident that the Land Commissioner will
have to 40, and that quickly. Ile is held
in such aversion by many Congressman
that they will not enter his Office unless
they know he is absent.
Assistant Commissioner St)ckslager
and Geo. NJ. Julian, surveyor-C enera' Of
New Mexico, both Indiana Democrats,
are spoken Of as successors OF Sparks.
Those who claim TO know ttill insist
that Postmaster-G General Villas is to be
the new Secretary OF the Interior, and
that Don NJ. Dickinson, OF Michigan, will
ell the other vacancy. 1t would appear
to he the Presidents purpose to give the
West two Cabinet members, with the
view Of strengthening his party where ii
is known TO be weakest. II is now con-
| ceded by all that the New York election
means Mr.. Cleyeland's certain renomin-
alton by the Democrats, while the Re-
publicans may name any one OF half a
dozen candidates, the signs Of the times
not pointing TO any particular man how
ever, Mr.. Blaine's friends still claim that
he is the Republican favorite.
Over in "Old Virginny" it would seem
there is to be sharp contest for the
United States Senate between Gov. Lee
and ext Congressman Barbour, in which
the chances appear TO favor the latter. Ii
the Washingtonians could decide the
question, most OF their voices would be
for Mr. Barbour, their neighbor OF antique
Alexandra.
We are not yet through with our Cen.
tennials, though there have been a mum.
Der within the past dozen years. The
next will be observed in New York City
April 80, 1889, in commemoration OF the
Centennial Of the Inauguration OF Gen
Washington as President OF the United
States. Centennials from their frequency
are losing much of popular enthusiasm
and attractiveness, still / think that al
New York there should be celebration
worthy alike OF the noble founders Of the
greatest Of Republics, and OF the progress
and patriotism OF the national character
The illustrious Washington will forever
loom up as one Of the grandest and most
colossal figures Of history, the pride Of his
own countrymen and the central object Of
the worlds admiration end veneration
his fame growing brighter with the feet
ing years.
Senator Cockrell's committee TO inves-
tigate the methods of conducting the
business OF the Federal Departments will
make a supplemental report iavoring the
erection Of additional Government build
ings. At present the clerks are crowded
together in such a manner as 70 seriously
impair their efficiency The Government
is now compelled to pay quite a large
rental, and it would prove a paying in
vestrnent il the recommendation Of the
committee should be approved.
The National Museum has received from
the plains OF the far West collection o.
live wild animals for scientific purposes
it being the design to propagate the cap,
tives TO preserve the several species from
the imminent danger Of extinction
Meanwhile the taxidermists will be callet
into requisition as a valuable agency tc
secure the end in view. One OF these
Inimals is a spotted lynx, captured il
Utah: another is a silver gray fox from
the wilds Of Alaska, our Arctic province
others are prairie dogs and cinnamon
bears, making altogether a very interest
ing and picturesque group.